Taxi driver assistance paid BRL 1.4 billion to irregular beneficiary – 06/02/2023 – Market

In a report released this Friday (2), the CGU (Controladoria-Geral da União) claims to have detected almost BRL 2 billion in possible irregular payment of truck and taxi driver aid to beneficiaries who did not meet the criteria established by the government.

The two aids were created through the PEC (Proposal for a Constitutional Amendment) of Benefits – a measure announced by former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) to boost social benefits and on the eve of the election. The value of the voucher was R$ 1,000 and was granted between July and December of last year.

According to the CGU, around 247,000 beneficiaries of taxi assistance did not meet the program’s criteria, which is equivalent to 78% of those enrolled. Of the more than R$ 1.8 billion in credits effected, 75% may have been unduly paid.

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See some of the problems found by the CGU for beneficiaries of Taxi Assistance:

• CPF in irregular registration status
• residence abroad
• indication of death
• Receipt of social security or assistance benefits of a kind incompatible with the performance of work activity
• Qualification in a category incompatible with the exercise of the profession
• expired driver’s license
• driver without license
• Qualification without registration of paid activity
• Driver without contribution to the INSS (National Social Security Institute) in the 12 months prior to the start of payment of the aid

Total of credit effected in the taxi driver assistance: BRL 1.84 billion

Potentially improper payment: BRL 1.39 billion

Total beneficiaries of taxi assistance: 314,025

Total beneficiaries who do not met the eligibility criteria: 246,722

Source: CGU (Controladoria Geral da União)

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In the case of truck driver assistance, the potential overpayment represents almost BRL 583 million – around 25% of total funds. In this case, more than a quarter of beneficiaries did not meet the criteria, according to the CGU.

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See some of the problems encountered by CGU for Truck Driver Assistance beneficiaries:

• Inactive registration at the RNTRC (National Registry of Road Cargo Carriers) on May 31, 2022
• CPF in irregular registration status
• indication of death
• residence abroad
• Receipt of social security or assistance benefits of a kind incompatible with the performance of work activity
• Beneficiary receiving unemployment insurance
• Public office or employment
• Lack of cargo vehicle registration at the RNTRC
• Beneficiaries without vehicle ownership registration at the RNTRC and without a driving license
• Beneficiaries without vehicle ownership registration at the RNTRC and with license to drive in a category incompatible with a cargo vehicle
• Beneficiaries without registration of the type of vehicle ownership at the RNTRC and without registration that they carry out a remunerated activity in the CNH (National Driver’s License)

Total of credit effected in Truck Driver Assistance: BRL 2.32 billion

Potentially improper payment: BRL 582.87 million

Total beneficiaries of Truck Driver Assistance: 402,773

Total beneficiaries who do not met the eligibility criteria: 110,051

Source: Federal Comptroller General

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According to the CGU, the result of the audit points to “potential flaws in internal controls in the operationalization of the program”.

The body recommended that the government assess the situation together with Dataprev, a data processing company responsible for generating payrolls, and study measures for reimbursement of the amount.

It also advised that the standardization of the ordinance that regulated the constitutional amendment 123/2022, responsible for the institution of truck and taxi driver assistance, be reviewed.